Wood Sled Makeover

Decorative sleds are so Christmasy! Actually, they're not just for Christmas but the whole winter season! It's perfect as a accent piece for the front porch,  entryway, living room or den.  And it can be hung, leaned or used as a table centerpiece, too. 

I found an old wooden sled - not a real one - for decorative purposes only - at a moving sale several years ago. It looked like someone had tried to sand off whatever was on it!  I couldn't resist for just two dollars! After all, it was solid wood! Imagine what you can do with a piece like that!

But first it needed to be spruced up a bit - by sanding the wood until nice and smooth. And then putting my own touch on it by dry brushing the sled with a gray chalk paint. - no primer needed! 

It's looking better already! You know what they say about what a little paint will do!

Next, I needed to add some embellishments and got out my trusty Bowdabra to make a bow .  .  . first by adding 12" tails with dovetail ends .  .  .

and then the actual bow made with 4, four inch loops and 2, three inch loops!

Don't you just love the ribbon design? How cool is this look .  .  . 

with bows, berries and stems!

Decorating an old sled is lots of fun - the possibilities are almost unlimited. 

The finished piece adds a warm, charming and nostalgic atmosphere to any area and is a nice alternative to the usual Christmas decor!

Welcome back to the 'Do It Over' Designers, a group of talented bloggers who love to recycle/upcycle/DIY, hosted by Anne @The Apple Street Cottage. It's all about taking something old and/or unused and 'doing it over' into something new. Anything from fabric, old dishes, and decor to dressers and hutches. Items found in closets, barns, garages, yard sales, thrift stores, you name it! Sounds like fun, doesn't it!

Be sure to check out all the 'Do It Over Designers' listed below to see their lovely "do overs" too!  

Ann - The Apple Street Cottage - The Christmas Mermaid

Anita - Unique Creations by Anita

Allyson - Southern Sunflowers - How to Make an Upcycled Wood Ornament Stand and Rustic Ornaments

Chas - Chas’ Crazy Creations - DIY Kids Advent Calendar

Cindy - Cloches & Lavender - Curbside Hutch

Donna - Modern on Monticello - DIY Festive Santa Painted Basket

Gail - Purple Hues & Me - Wood Sled Makeover

Kathleen - Our Hopeful Home - Farmhouse Corbel Shelf Refinish

Kim - Exquisitely Unremarkable - Fan Blade Junk Angel DIY

Naush - Doodle Buddies - DIY Faux Farmhouse Crate From a Carton

Patti - Pandora’s Box - Recycling Your Throw-aways!

Sara - Birdz of a Feather - Tiered Plant Stand DIY

Tania - Little Vintage Cottage - Upcycled Vintage Wall Pocket Christmas Vignette

Purple Christmas Tree Decorations

I love purple! So it's a given that I decorate my trees in purple ornaments and accessories! I think purple is perfect for Christmas! It's a rich and noble color that helps to make my home feel warm, festive and stylish! 

Look how lovely this tree is! The purple ornaments along with accents of gold  and purple bows work well together.  The tree is located in our great room - an open space that includes the family room, kitchen and dining area - one where we basically cook, eat, relax and watch tv! I love how the tree turned out - it's quite pleasing to the eye, don't you think!

I usually put up three trees, but this year, just two. I found a 6ft flocked tree from Walmart a couple of years ago that I really love! I got another one this year for the same price of $30! So much better than the 7ft tree that I normally  put together branch by branch! Yuck! I decorated my first tree last week for our Festive Christmas Ideas Blog Hop! It's located in the front of the house, visible by anyone who comes to our door. I think it looks elegant blending in with my furniture!

I used lots of pretty oversized purple ornaments with silver accents on this one!

I'm thrilled to be sharing my second decorated tree this year at the Annual Christmas Tree Decor Blog Hop hosted by Michelle @Our Crafty Mom. 

This tree is adorned with a handmade treetop bow with reversible plum color ribbon on one side and green on the other .  .  .

with additional matching handtied bows throughout .  .  .

along with glittery resin style bows, too! 

Plus gold accented ornate ornaments  .  .  .

and purple swirled bulbs, creating a gorgeous color scheme anyone would love!

Purple is a fabulous Christmas color that gives a touch  of freshness and uniqueness to any holiday decor! It blends in well with just about any decorative style and trend!

Setting the mood at dusk .  .  .

 with sparkly lights that creates a magical spell when lit!

Welcome To The Fourth Annual Christmas Tree Decor Blog Hop

Be sure to visit all the participating bloggers below for gorgeous holiday decorating ideas for your Christmas tree.

 Our Crafty Mom // Sustain My Craft Habit // Red Cottage         Chronicles // Celebrate and Decorate Jenron Designs //  2 Bees In A Pod // Virginia Sweet Pea // From House To Home Tribe of Burton // Across the Boulevard // Intelligent Domestications // Simply Beautiful By Angela Modern on Monticello // Redneck Rhapsody // Purple Hues and Me // My Pinterventures

 Zucchini Sisters // One Thousand Oaks // Raggedy Bits // Southern Yankee DIY // Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

My Sweet Home Living // Pretty DIY Home // Michelle James Designs // Daily DIY Life Happily Ever After, etc. // Kippi at Home // Simple Nature Decor // Design Morsels

Velvet Christmas Flower Picks

 

 This diy glitter edge velvet Christmas flower pick will add a sparkly touch to any Christmas decor - be it on a wreath, tree, garland or gift! The purple petals outlined with glitter and sequins make this stunning flower a must have for your holiday decor! 

Velvet Christmas Flower Pick

Materials:

• Velvet fabric (scraps)
• Mod Podge
• Stem Wire - 22 gauge
• Acrylic paint/brush
• Quick Hold Glue
• Glitter glue
• Glitter and sequins
• Floral Tape
• Bead stems
• Glittery tinsel

 Lets begin by spraying the wrong side of velvet fabric (which I had left over from a previous project) with Mod Podge mixed with a bit of water and let dry. I didn't think the fabric was stiff enough so I painted Mod Podge on full strength and let dry completely.

Then made a scalloped petal pattern out of paper and cut out eight petals.Next, paint the stem wire a matching color using acrylic craft paint and let dry. Cut stem wire to fit on petals.

Using a quick grab and drying glue like Quick Hold (by the makers of E6000) attach the stem wire to each petals.

Fold petal over at the center to secure wire. Open and let dry.

Apply glitter glue or Quick Hold to edges of velvet petals.

Sprinkle on glitter and sequins to the glitter glue .  .  .

and shake off excess.

Repeat for the other seven petals and let dry. Seal edges with Mod Podge and let dry.

Group the beaded stems together .  .  .

and lightly dab Mod Podge to the tops. Gently sprinkle glitter on the beads and let dry.

Group the bead stems together and grab the floral tape which is tacky once you activate it by stretching.  Start wrapping with floral tape at the top. As you wrap the floral tape around your stem/wire, give the floral tape a little pull to stretch it out.  It gives quite a bit and stretching it slightly will help get the tape tight around the stem.  

Begin adding the petals, wrapping the stems together with the floral tape, one petal at a time.

Add additional petal stems by placing each one next to the taped stem and taping both together, one at a time .  .  .

to make one large stem .  .  .

 with eight petals for a pick!

Add glue around the base of the beaded stems and wrap the tinsel around them. The velvet flower petals are brought to life with delicate glittery accents and sparkly tinsel and bead center. 

Welcome to our monthly Creative Craft Blog Hop created by Chloe @ Celebrate & Decorate and Andrea @ Design Morsels!  I've teamed up with a talented group of creative bloggers to bring you lots of wonderful ideas and inspirations! 

I'm thrilled you stopped by and hope you enjoyed this tutorial!  Next up is Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addition sharing her lovely festive frosted candle holders.

Have fun and get inspired by all of the wonderful creations this month by clicking on the links below!

Celebrate & Decorate Make An Extra Long Swag

Design Morsels Make An Centerpiece for a Narrow Table

Our Crafty Mom DIY Grinch Gnome

The Painted Apron Upcycled Gift Tins

Chas’ Crazy Creations 8 Easy DIY Ornament Gifts

At Home with Jemma Christmas Terrarium

B4 and Afters Chocolate Covered Snowman Pretzels

Zucchini Sisters DIY Christmas Gnome Garland

Debbee’s Buzz Thanksgiving Table Favors

Birdz of a Feather Christmas Stocking DIY

My Hubbard Home Snowman Charcuterie Board

Purple Hues and MeVelvet Christmas Flower Picks

My Thrift Store Addiction Festive Frosted Candle Holders in 2 Easy Steps

Bluesky at Home DIY Christmas Vintage Cutting Boards Vignette

Home is Where the Boat is 5 Minute Mason Jar Candle Lamps

Decorate & More with Tip DIY Farmhouse Simple Joy Canvas

White Arrows Home Quick and Easy DIY Thanksgiving Table Ideas